ASIA/CHINA - Heavy snows hasn't kept Catholics from flocking to churches for Epiphany

Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Despite its being a working day in China and even with the obstacles created by heavy snowfall in recent days, it was with great devotion that Chinese Catholics celebrated the Solemnity of the Epiphany in communion with the Universal Church and with the Holy Father, on January 6. The heavy snowfalls in recent days have not yet ceased and in some areas it continues to snow. The condition of roads is still very critical, but yesterday morning, very early, churches, chapels and other places of habitual prayers were filled with faithful attending the Mass of the Epiphany. According to information received by Fides, the pastors of Beijing had recommended for older people to remain at home and pray, because of snow, but they found the church full of older people for the first Mass in the morning, at 6 am, as usual.
The Cathedral of the Diocese of Jing Xian, in the He Bei province, organized a sacred representation of the arrival of the Magi. Faithful dressed as Magi opened the procession of the solemn celebration of the Epiphany, led by a giant Cross. Four priests concelebrated Mass in the presence of many faithful, religious, and catechumens. During the homily, the priest urged the faithful to remember the birth of Jesus, his Baptism, and the adoration of the Magi, as "we bring the message of Jesus to all those around us, leading them to the Lord's embrace. To cater to the needs of the faithful who work on the day of Epiphany, many communities held the celebration on Sunday, January 3 or postponed it to Sunday, January 10, thereby meeting the needs of the faithful, without neglecting the traditional day of January 6. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 07/01/2010)